| 1. |
The
cell group is most importnat for the growth of the church. |
| 2. |
Recommend
the cell groups; as means of intimacy, relationship with God and
knowing each other deeply. |
| 3. |
WQhat
is going to happen to our music program and how can we encourage
better music. |
| 4. |
The
members of the congregation should consider seriously the
practice of bringing people to worship, which is one of the
reasons for which the new church was built. So far, it looks
like the people attending are those who come of their own
choice, not because an existing church member brings then on
Sundays or Saturdays. |
| 5. |
I am
thourghly enjoying the challenege of meeting new people and
gradually having them recognize me and call me by name. Your
name isn't Visitor is it? No, it says otherwise on the tag! Or,
I don't see your name, my name is .... That's like low hangin'
fruit in the garden of eden - paradise for the seeking soul. |
| 6. |
Would
you rather turn away a pew-warmer, and have no member at all, or
have a pew-warmer attend who would probably find a calling to
help the church when a certain comfort level has been reached?
Would you encourage worship attendance to someone who is not yet
comfortable volunteering, or give no encouragement to attend
because someone simply needs a spritual home? Would you
encourage members to participate, or discourage participation
because someone is unfamiliar with St. John's way of doing
business, even though they may be familiar with the way
Episcopalians do business. 2 Corinthians 9:7: Each one must do
just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under
compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. |
| 7. |
I
greatly appreciate the opportunity to give my input on these
subjects. Please give a report to the congregation as soon as
the information is tabulated. |
| 8. |
Jesus
taought us that God is Love. If we proclaim Christ, crucified
and risen and show love for one another, we will fill our
building. |
| 9. |
I am
concerned that we look and smell too much like everyone else. We
hold the same jobs (based on our educational background) live in
the same houses, consume the same goods, partake of the same
entertainment, drive the same cars (all based on our income
level) as anyone else in our society. We are fully conformed to
the current age. Either the world has turned (at least in the
US) to be in line with Jesus and everything is OK; or we have
water downed Jesus so as to allow us to look and smell just like
everyone else in the world; in a material age. If we were really
different some would leave. But, then there would be a reason
(at least for some) to join our congregation. |
| 10. |
I don't
want to see so many services/classes crammed into Sunday morning
that people (OK, I mean me) feel rushed. As we are largely an
anglo membership surrounded by very diverse population, think we
need to reach out more to help/serve our neighborhood as main
thrust of our outreach with realization that most of these folks
are not going to join our church or be interested in attending
services. It would be great if they did, but that would not be
the goal. Perhaps we could work more closely with some other
area churches around us in some projects of this nature. We also
need to make sure we meet the needs of our own members and their
families. Start looking at what it would take to build something
like a multi purpose recreation center on our remaining land
that members, youth, and community could all utilize. (I'd like
to know if remaining land is large enough to ever build on or
put to use some way). Perhaps just a playground or basketball
hoops (which we used to have in the parking lot). Speaking of
playgrounds, we really need at least a small one for our own
kids to replace the old one. Maybe we need more fundraising
projects........!!!! Grants? There are exciting things already
happening at St. John's (always has been) - let's encourage
prayer for the Holy Spirit to work among us & show us the
way past all the obstacles! Thank you! |
| 11. |
Stress
and publicize the coffee hour for everybody after the 10:30
service. Advertise more widely adult Christian Ed. classes
offered. |
| 12. |
Would
like to develop a heart for outreach/service. This is definately
one of Fr. Al's strong suits and I'm hoping to learn some of
that from him. |
| 13. |
Having
the Rabbi here this fall is great. The lace makers are here each
months. The neighborhood folks across the street are good. We
can have a friendly attitude with other people, too. |
| 14. |
Let get
excited and exite each other and fill our hearts with the
spirit. Lets love one another encourage each other and fill our
church with Gods people. |
| 15. |
having
worked with several volunteer groups, if you have too many
events you loose overall participation of all individuals |
| 16. |
I see
the need for an updated parish directory. the last one was
gotten up bu a photograph company and was inaccurate in many
ways. |
| 17. |
I am
very pleased with the openess at St. John's toward diversity (of
ethnicity, churchedness, and intellectual thought). It is what I
am most proud of my church for. |
| 18. |
It may
be very politically incorrect to say this, but although it would
be great to have a larger congregation, is a church just about
getting larger and larger? Or is it more about a gradual process
of inner transformation of the people? Blessings! |
| 19. |
Suggest
churches with small congregations adopt sister churches for
interchanging prients, progams, & social activities.
Churches and other faith based organizations can have a greater
presence by banding together. For example: If a Catholic or
Lutheran priest delivered sermon in Episcopal church that priest
would draw some of his folks to the Episcopal church to hear
him,etc. |
| 20. |
The
visioning process is the key to the future of St. John's.
Establishing a biblically based vision and committing sufficient
resources to its fullfilment are the best ways to make St. Johns
a vibrant and growing parish. |
| 21. |
St.
John's is doing a lot with resources available. We should remain
open to the Holy Spirit to guide us in current and future
activities. |
| 22. |
Maybe
we're having too many services, especially if we have a third
one on Sundays plus the Saturday night one. This tends to dilute
the service and make each one look too sparsely attended. Also,
people don't get to know each other much; they just 'come and
go'. Somewhat shorter sermons. Try to raise the 'dress code' of
some folks? Give St. John's a unique identification
liturgically, such as traditional, or celtic, or marvelous music
(which we already have), or something like that. Give a medal to
the people who made up this survey--you have done a very
impressive job of it! |
